Peeping through my Venetian blind, I saw “Clydie” Clump, coming up my walk with a wreath in his hand.

When I opened my door, he greeted me with the old Christmas saying, “Christmas gif’!” That meant I had to give him a gift because he said the words first.

I offered him a large piece of Lane cake; then he gave the wreath to me.

We sat and talked awhile; I mentioned some of the out-and-abouters I had seen recently – Pat Felts, Fran Davidson at the P.O., Angie Theus, Brenda Donaldson, Charlie “the Cane” Cope, Sally Hall at the Corner Market, Wanda Stump, Joyce Leddon and her sister, Jimmie Nell Stewart at David’s, Jody and Judy Dillard and their sons, Perry Dillard and Tim Dillard, as well as Perry’s wife Stephanie and their new baby at the Pancake and Sausage Day, Russ Jarvis, Sue Wilson, her daughter Wynne Glenn, and Wynne’s son, Hampton, just returned from his first semester at the University of Alabama, home for the Christmas holidays, three generations – Sue, Wynne, Hampton, eating together at Tabby D’s, Minnie Shakespeare, Ronald Davis, now preaching at Brooks Baptist, David Moore at the Corner Market, Philip Hudson, Judge Jerry Stokes, Ralph and Wendy Mathews at Hook’s, along with Ricky and Nancy (Ptomey) Jones.

Also at Hook’s were the Friday Lunch Bunch, a group of ladies who meet for lunch somewhere every Friday. In attendance this day were Lucy Price-Martin, Nina Keenam, the columnist, Helen King, Helen Griffin, Betty Sue McInnish, and their guest, Laura Darby.

Other members of the club were absent.

Sunday, December 13, was a sad one at First Baptist Church.

That morning, within hours of each other, two fine ladies, members of First Baptist, Georgette Pass and Trudy Vickers, passed away, both, wives of ministers in First Baptist.

Richard Pass, the widower, in his early nineties, had been teaching the Baraca Sunday School class and had just given it up.

Gordon Vickers worked with the senior adults, coordinating their activities.

The Baraca Class December 13 was taught by Herb Carlisle. Jennifer (Smith) Dansby sang a Christmas solo, a cappella, “Sweet, Little Jesus Boy.” Her mother, June Smith, and Jennifer’s husband, Neal Dansby, were present to hear her.

During morning worship, Martha Givhan, organist, used the chimes on the organ, bringing back memories of Louise Barrow, to whom the chimes were dedicated and who taught Mrs. Givhan organ lessons.

Louise Barrow played the piano and organ for First Baptist for around 60 years.

One Accord, a group of ladies in First Baptist, sang two “specials.”

After morning worship the Deaf Ministry of First Baptist enjoyed a luncheon in Fellowship Hall.

Jimmy and Nancy Shelton were honored with a “shower” of gifts for their upcoming house warming.

Sunday night at First church, during evening worship, the Glory Singers, made mainly of the senior members of the congregation, sang “O Holy Night,” which thrilled those present.

Meryane Martin Murphy, who directed The Nutcracker ballet in Andalusia this year, December 11, 12, and 13, came close to perfection with precision, coordination, and skills of her troupe.

Keats once wrote, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

Such was the ballet – a blend of stirring music, costumes in all the colors of the rainbow, and graceful and exciting movements, suited to a fairy tale or enchanted dream.

Some performances were so brilliant that the audience broke into thunderous applause. Indeed I have never heard such applause.

The first day of winter is Monday, December 21, I am told. It doesn’t feel like winter, though.

The Covington Rifles, Camp 1586, of the Sons of Confederate Veterans met December 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dixon Memorial of the public library.

Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy joined the men of the SCV for a Christmas buffet and program.

Commander John Allen Gantt presided.

Hank Roberts led in prayer.

Vaughn Bowers led the pledges to the flags.

Larry Shaw led in “Dixie” as all remained standing.

Sir Francis McGowin spoke of Christmas celebrations in 1864 during the War Between the States.

A buffet of covered dishes followed.

Anyone wishing to join fellow graduates of Samford University for an annual meeting should call Joe Wingard.

Once again, I ask the citizens of Andalusia to join the Covington Historical Society and pay its annual dues of $25 to help preserve the history of our county, whether you attend meetings or not. Mail to CHS, P.O. Box 1582, Andalusia, Alabama 36420.

The mysterian is the member of the AHS Class of 1926, still living.

Monday, December 14, was Alabama’s birthday. I was among the guests at Covington Hall to celebrate the occasion.

Miss Flora had decorated the great table, used only on special occasions, with camellias, the state flower.

(Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville beamed with pride because the ladies of Greenville had seen the camellia so honored.)

Miss Cora had prepared a large cake in the shape of Alabama.

Miss Dora led us all in the state song. We stood in respect.

Colonel Covington asked us to lift our glasses in a toast to Alabama, the first state to make Christmas a holiday.

Among the guests were Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville, Topper Propper, Miss Priscilla Primme, Miss Birdie Purdie, the Portly Gentleman, and Mrs. Grundy.

Born this week were Jane Austen, an English novelist, especially of Pride and Prejudice, and John Greenleaf Whittier, American poet.

Whittier’s best-known lines are from his “Maud Muller.” They read, “of all sad words of tongue or pen,/ The saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”

Now, gentle reader, allow me to join Buffalo Bob Smith in encouraging each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend, Lord willing.

Fare thee well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the old Christmas saying, “Christmas gif’!” That meant I had to give him a gift because he said the words first.

I offered him a large piece of Lane cake; then he gave the wreath to me.

We sat and talked awhile; I mentioned some of the out-and-abouters I had seen recently – Pat Felts, Fran Davidson at the P.O., Angie Theus, Brenda Donaldson, Charlie “the Cane” Cope, Sally Hall at the Corner Market, Wanda Stump, Joyce Leddon and her sister, Jimmie Nell Stewart at David’s, Jody and Judy Dillard and their sons, Perry Dillard and Tim Dillard, as well as Perry’s wife Stephanie and their new baby at the Pancake and Sausage Day, Russ Jarvis, Sue Wilson, her daughter Wynne Glenn, and Wynne’s son, Hampton, just returned from his first semester at the University of Alabama, home for the Christmas holidays, three generations – Sue, Wynne, Hampton, eating together at Tabby D’s, Minnie Shakespeare, Ronald Davis, now preaching at Brooks Baptist, David Moore at the Corner Market, Philip Hudson, Judge Jerry Stokes, Ralph and Wendy Mathews at Hook’s, along with Ricky and Nancy (Ptomey) Jones.

Also at Hook’s were the Friday Lunch Bunch, a group of ladies who meet for lunch somewhere every Friday. In attendance this day were Lucy Price-Martin, Nina Keenam, the columnist, Helen King, Helen Griffin, Betty Sue McInnish, and their guest, Laura Darby.

Other members of the club were absent.

Sunday, December 13, was a sad one at First Baptist Church.

That morning, within hours of each other, two fine ladies, members of First Baptist, Georgette Pass and Trudy Vickers, passed away, both, wives of ministers in First Baptist.

Richard Pass, the widower, in his early nineties, had been teaching the Baraca Sunday School class and had just given it up.

Gordon Vickers worked with the senior adults, coordinating their activities.

The Baraca Class December 13 was taught by Herb Carlisle. Jennifer (Smith) Dansby sang a Christmas solo, a cappella, “Sweet, Little Jesus Boy.” Her mother, June Smith, and Jennifer’s husband, Neal Dansby, were present to hear her.

During morning worship, Martha Givhan, organist, used the chimes on the organ, bringing back memories of Louise Barrow, to whom the chimes were dedicated and who taught Mrs. Givhan organ lessons.

Louise Barrow played the piano and organ for First Baptist for around 60 years.

One Accord, a group of ladies in First Baptist, sang two “specials.”

After morning worship the Deaf Ministry of First Baptist enjoyed a luncheon in Fellowship Hall.

Jimmy and Nancy Shelton were honored with a “shower” of gifts for their upcoming house warming.

Sunday night at First church, during evening worship, the Glory Singers, made mainly of the senior members of the congregation, sang “O Holy Night,” which thrilled those present.

Meryane Martin Murphy, who directed The Nutcracker ballet in Andalusia this year, December 11, 12, and 13, came close to perfection with precision, coordination, and skills of her troupe.

Keats once wrote, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

Such was the ballet – a blend of stirring music, costumes in all the colors of the rainbow, and graceful and exciting movements, suited to a fairy tale or enchanted dream.

Some performances were so brilliant that the audience broke into thunderous applause. Indeed I have never heard such applause.

The first day of winter is Monday, December 21, I am told. It doesn’t feel like winter, though.

The Covington Rifles, Camp 1586, of the Sons of Confederate Veterans met December 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Dixon Memorial of the public library.

Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy joined the men of the SCV for a Christmas buffet and program.

Commander John Allen Gantt presided.

Hank Roberts led in prayer.

Vaughn Bowers led the pledges to the flags.

Larry Shaw led in “Dixie” as all remained standing.

Sir Francis McGowin spoke of Christmas celebrations in 1864 during the War Between the States.

A buffet of covered dishes followed.

Anyone wishing to join fellow graduates of Samford University for an annual meeting should call Joe Wingard.

Once again, I ask the citizens of Andalusia to join the Covington Historical Society and pay its annual dues of $25 to help preserve the history of our county, whether you attend meetings or not. Mail to CHS, P.O. Box 1582, Andalusia, Alabama 36420.

The mysterian is the member of the AHS Class of 1926, still living.

Monday, December 14, was Alabama’s birthday. I was among the guests at Covington Hall to celebrate the occasion.

Miss Flora had decorated the great table, used only on special occasions, with camellias, the state flower.

(Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville beamed with pride because the ladies of Greenville had seen the camellia so honored.)

Miss Cora had prepared a large cake in the shape of Alabama.

Miss Dora led us all in the state song. We stood in respect.

Colonel Covington asked us to lift our glasses in a toast to Alabama, the first state to make Christmas a holiday.

Among the guests were Mrs. Gotrocks of Greenville, Topper Propper, Miss Priscilla Primme, Miss Birdie Purdie, the Portly Gentleman, and Mrs. Grundy.

Born this week were Jane Austen, an English novelist, especially of Pride and Prejudice, and John Greenleaf Whittier, American poet.

Whittier’s best-known lines are from his “Maud Muller.” They read, “of all sad words of tongue or pen,/ The saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”

Now, gentle reader, allow me to join Buffalo Bob Smith in encouraging each of us to be in his place of worship this weekend, Lord willing.

Fare thee well.